Carey Drops 20 Points as WNE Women’s Basketball Rolls Past Nichols to Open 2023

DUDLEY, Mass. (January 3, 2023) – The Western New England women's basketball team had their first game back after the holiday break on the road against CCC opponent Nichols Bison, who they defeated 86-44.

Records:

• Western New England: 5-6, 3-1 CCC
• Nichols College: 2-7, 1-3 CCC

How It Happened: The Golden Bears got off to a 5-0 run after a layup and a foul shot knocked in by Shaina Cooney and another layup off an offensive rebound put in by Lindsey Carey. Carey hit the next six points for WNE. They had built up a 12-4 lead four minutes remaining in the quarter. Nichols got within four with back-to-back baskets, a layup, and a three-pointer. Emma Kahn and Paige Winter both hit layups to increase the Golden Bears' lead, the Bison shot another basket, and Kahn added two more at the end of the quarter for WNE to lead by 10, 22-12.

The Golden Bears and the Bison exchange baskets to open the second quarter. Kahn had the first three-pointer for WNE, and then they proceeded to take a 20-point lead while keeping Nichols at 14 points until halfway through the quarter. Two free-throws put a couple more on the scoreboard for Nichols, and a three a play later. Emma Elrod and Kahn made the final baskets for the Golden Bears before the half to lead 42-19.

Kahn knocked in another three for the first hoop for WNE in the third. Colleen Furlong followed with a jumper assisted by Kahn. Two more free-throws for the Bison, then Carey had four straight points. Nichols was feeling it from the outside, going for double threes trying to close the gap. After a layup from team captain, Abby Garaban, Winter and Carey also went for a few threes, that brought the Golden Bears lead into the 30's, 62-29.

Winter had another three and a layup in the first couple minutes of the fourth. The Golden Bears had a comfortable lead. The Bison had two more threes while Golden Bears Caeli Fitzpatrick and Abby Marasco added to the high three-pointer quarter. The final basket of the game was a jumper after a steal from Hannah Blake to end it 86-44 Golden Bears.

On the Court:

• The Golden Bears shot 43.4 percent from the paint, 38.1 percent from three-point line, 60.0 percent from the foul line, while gathering 67 rebounds, 28 assists, five steals, and five blocks as a team.
• The Bison had 20.9 percent from the floor, 17.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 91.7 percent from the free throw line while grabbing 25 rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals
• The Golden Bears were led by Lindsey Carey who had 20 points, four rebounds, and a block. She was 9-15 in field goals and 2-2 for threes.
• Emma Kahn added 12 points and Shaina Cooney led the team in rebounds with 11.

Up Next: The Golden Bears have their first home game of 2023 on Thursday, January 5, against the Endicott Gulls for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.